LAIE, Hawai‘i - The Brigham Young University Hawaii athletic department has hired Dave George of Surprise, Ariz., as the new head softball coach of the Seasiders.

George replaces Scott Lowe who will continue as the school’s assistant athletic director and sports information director, and who will act as a softball assistant coach until George can complete his staff.

George brings extensive softball experience to BYU-Hawaii. He previously served as head coach at Hill College (Tex.) and interim head coach at Howard College (Tex.).

He has been an assistant coach at South Mountain Community College (Ariz.), Gateway Community College (Ariz.), Arizona Western College, and San Diego City College (Calif.).

His high school experience includes head coach at Mount Carmel High School (Calif.) and La Jolla High School (Calif.).  He also served as an assistant coach at Rancho Buena Vista High School (CA).

George was named the Palomar League Coach of the Year in 1995 while at Mt. Carmel. He also was honored as the Western Junior College Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2001.

In addition to his high school and college experience, George has coached at the club level with various age groups and teams where his programs have finished as high as second nationally.

He also has served as an instructor and clinician at a number of softball camps, including Baylor University Softball Camp, Gerry Mauro’s Softball Clinics, National High School Coaches Association, and Pam Newton’s All-American Clinic.

George has been owner/director of M.O.D.E. Private and Team Lessons and has been an umpire for the NJCAA, NAIA, NCAA, ASA, NAFA, Triple Crown, and Premier organizations. He was the AFA Fastpitch Softball Commissioner for San Diego County and the state of Hawai‘i, and was board member at large for the Girls Softball Federation.

George is excited about his new position.

“I’m not sure how someone is supposed to feel when they get hired to perform their dream job,” he said, “but that’s how I feel right now. This is so exciting. This is what I’ve been preparing for decades to do and I can’t wait to get started. Coach (Scott) Lowe has done a great job moving the program forward and I want to do my part to keep it going.”

Speaking on behalf of the athletic department, Lowe said, “We feel very fortunate to have been able to hire Coach George to take over the program. We expect his experience and leadership to lift our program to new heights. We feel our softball team is in good hands.”